Heavy rain and flooding will continue to be an elevated risk for most parts of Samoa this week as a northerly flow of wind generates cloudy conditions.

The Samoa Meteorology Division Principal Scientific Officer, Silipa Mulitalo, told the Samoa Observer on Wednesday that the northerly flow will continue to have a major impact on local weather.

He said the presence of two tropical depressions in the Pacific will have no impact on Samoa, except for two low pressure systems southwest of Samoa that continue to drive the northerly wind over the country.

In terms of strong winds, Mr Mulitalo said the Meteorology Division is monitoring the situation and is yet to  issue a wind advisory as stronger winds associated with the two low pressure systems are outside of the country’s area of responsibility.

He added that the northerly flow will also bring moisture from the north as well as cloudy conditions, depending on the evolution of the two systems and whether it will move fast or slow, and with the generation of deep clouds and with the right conditions it can be extensive.

The clouds bands moving over Samoa from the north can give the country intense rainfall for a short period of time, according to Mr Mulitalo, and due to rain in the past few months, the potential for flooding has also been elevated for this season.

Asked if the tropical disturbance has the possibility of getting into Samoa's path, Mr Mulitalo said based on their current projections there is a low risk for Samoa in terms of a tropical cyclone.

The potential for a cyclone in the next seven days is low but the potential for flood is high, which he said will be the main concern for the authorities over the next seven days.

But if the system meets the right criteria to be upgraded into a tropical cyclone, the authorities will then name it Ana.